Minter Ellison collection an auction highlight

Items from leading Australian law firm Minter Ellison will be a major highlight of Sotheby’s Australia’s Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design auction from 6pm Tuesday July 21 at the InterContinental Hotel, 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney.

The collection comprises an impressive selection of Australian photography and contemporary art with works by artists such as Adam Cullen, Max Dupain, Bill Henson, Akio Makigawa, Rosemary Laing, Robert MacPherson, Tracey Moffatt, Patricia Piccinini and Imants Tiller.

The firm is selling its collection because it is moving from its old Aurora Place, Sydney offices to new premises, which are largely open plan with fewer walls.

One of the more significant sculptures is Makigawa’s Wisdom of Water 1995 – the genesis of inspiration being bottled drinking water.

A very rare and important ebony veneered striking bracket clock by Henry Jones, a celebrated London maker of quality clocks and watches, should fascinate collectors.

A similar example is housed in the British Museum and has kept time for more than 300 years since about 1685.

It joins several examples of quality longcase, carriage and mantel clocks in the auction.  

There is a sterling silver soup tureen dated 1820 (catalogue estimate $20,000-$25,000) by famous London silversmith Paul Storr – whose reputation rested on mastery of the grandoise ne-Classical style developed during the Regency period.

Also on offer is a fine selection of English and European silver including cutlery from Georg Jensen and a rare George II/III silver teapot, sugar and creamer.

Devant la Fenetre by Vietnamese painter Le Phoh (1907-2001) is another highlight.

The artist was awarded a scholarship and trained at the École des Beaux-Art ion Paris and became famous for his Vietnamese sceneries, women, still life with flowers, family settings and portraits.

Viewing is from 10am-5pm Thursday July 16 to Tuesday July 21 at 30, 34 and 38 Queen Street, Woollahra.